Crew films Flight 93 documentary

What started out as a gesture of respect for the heroes on United Flight 93 stayed in the memories of their families and is now being commemorated in a documentary.

Families of those on the flight were brought in by bus to the site in Stonycreek Township after the crash on Sept. 11, 2001. Pennsylvania State Police lined the roadway and saluted the passing buses.

Lt. Patrick Madigan, who was then a sergeant and commander of the Somerset County station, said it was Captain Frank Monaco who had given the order for the salute.

"We wanted to show our respect for the families," Sgt. John P. Rock, current commander of the Somerset County station, said. "It meant so much to all of us."

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The Discovery Channel commissioned Brook Lapping, a London, England, production company to make a documentary about Flight 93. Honor Elizabeth Wainio, a passenger on the flight, was employed by the Discovery Channel. Brook Lapping is working with families on the production.

Philip Marlow, the producer, said the documentary "The Flight That Fought Back" will air on the Discovery Channel late this year. The actors portraying those on the flight and their families are accomplished actors, but are not household names, he said.

"It has been documented in numerous interviews with the family members who speak with great emotion about the state police saluting them," Marlow said. "It's difficult to know when it will appear in the film, but it is in response to what the families told us. Obviously, this is an immensely important project. What Flight 93 represents - Sept. 11 itself was traumatic for the country and the families who lost someone and for this community. Flight 93 gave a glimmer of hope to the world when it was learned they fought back. This is designed as a tribute."

Bruce Goodson is the director. A three-member camera crew was in Stonycreek Township this week. Wednesday evening, they filmed scenes at the temporary memorial. On Thursday, they filmed the re-enactment of the state police saluting the buses and then filmed several family members at the crash site.

"We are blending the personal experiences of the passengers through the recollection of their loved ones with the most thorough account of everything that is known about the events of the day," said Ginny Galloway, a member of the production company.

People who live in the Shanksville area, and a newspaper reporter, were invited to be in the documentary. Those invited sat on the two buses, which traveled up and down Skyline Drive in front of a line of 40 troopers and several volunteers with the Salvation Army, all of whom saluted.

"I didn't know what to do," she said. "I didn't want to wave, so I stood with my hand over my heart. Some of the people on the buses waved to me, others blew a kiss. I waved or blew a kiss back."

Doyle and Ruth Mankamyer, Central City, brought their granddaughter, Tasha Corradin, 9. They said they wanted to do it out of respect for those on the flight.

"I thought it would be neat," Tasha said.

Bruce Thomas, Indian Lake, who is a site ambassador, said he likes to be involved with things at the temporary memorial.

While volunteers got to sit on the heated buses during the filming, the state police had to stand in the cool temperatures wearing summer uniforms. Richland Township fire department brought in a ladder truck. The camera crew took shots from on top of the ladder as well as from the ground and close-ups of the troopers.

The only instruction volunteers were given was to sit on the left side of the bus and to look at the troopers as the bus passed. Even though it was a re-creation, it was a moving experience.

"This brings back a lot of memories of those days," Lt. Patrick Madigan said. "It was a pleasure meeting the families who came here today to thank us."